Tape dispenser with hand brake



March 19, 1968 G. H. FRITZINGER TAPE DISPENSER WITH HAND BRAKE File d May 10, 1965 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,374,139 TAPE DISPENSER WITH HAND BRAKE George H. Fritzinger, 18 Oakridge Road, West Orange, NJ. 07052 Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,514 8 Claims. (Cl. 156-523) This invention relates to a hand dispenser for applying selected lengths of pressure-sensitive strapping tape to boxes, cartons, bundles, etc., and more particularly, it relates to providing a novel hand brake in such dispenser to enable the user to apply a drag onto the tape so that the tape can be drawn tightly as it is dispensed.

The invention relates particularly to tape dispensers of the type described in my Patent No. 2,906,426, dated Sept. 29, 1959, and is herein disclosed in connection with such dispenser but without intending any unnecessary limitation thereto.

An object of the invention is to provide a hand dispenser for strapping tapes having therein a brake operable by pressure from the hand to place any selected drag on the tape being dispensed so that the tape can be drawn around the corners of boxes, etc., under tension.

Another object is to provide such dispenser with a hand brake which is easily operable by the fingers of the hand holding the dispenser.

Another object is to provide such hand brake in a dispenser having a hand-operable cutter in which certain fingers of the hand holding the dispenser are readily manipulatable to operate the cutter and other fingers are readily manipulatable to operate the brake.

Another object is to provide such hand brake for pressure-sensitive tapes which is operable by very light pressure to apply a heavy drag on the tape, and which when released disengages itself effectively from the tape.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a tape dispenser embodying the present invention wherein the side cover is partly broken away and the operating mechanism is shown in unoperated position which it occupies when tape is being drawn from the dispenser;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the dispenser to a reduced scale with bottom portions of the frame and cover sides of the housing broken away to show better the internal mechanism; and

FIGURE 3 is a side view showing the rocker portion of the operating mechanism and a tape brake mechanism mounted thereon according to the invention wherein the rocker appears in section on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

The present dispenser comprises an elongate housing including a frame side a carrying the operating mechanism and a cover side 1% held removably to the frame side by two thumb screws 11 which thread into respective studs 12 staked to the inner wall of the frame side. The two housing sides have rearwardly extending arms spaced apart to carry a reel 13 therebetween for supporting a roll of double-faced tape 14. The central portion of the housing is rounded so that it can be gripped by the hand, and the forward or head portion of the housing is enlarged and open at the bottom to allow the tape to be drawn from the housing via the handle portion. At the forward end of the head portion there is an applicator roller 15 journaled on a stud 16 staked to. the frame side. This roller comprises a metal bushing with a rubber sleeve telescoped thereonto so that the tape can be pressed firmly into contact with a surface being taped. A starting length T of the tape is projected alongside the applica- Patented Mar. 19, I963 tor roller to enable an application of tape to be started simply by setting the roller onto a surface and rolling it along the surface to the desired length.

The dispenser mechanism includes a channel-shaped rocker 17 pivoted at the rear end of the handle portion of the housing on a stud 18 staked 'to the frame side 10a. The rocker is biased into its downward position by a re turn spring 19 connected between the forward end portion of the rocker and a wall of the head portion of the housing. A trigger 20 on the central portion of the rocker extends below the handle portion of the housing to enable the rocker to be pressed upwardly against the force of the return spring by the grip of the first two fingersi.e., the fore and middle fingers-of the hand holding the dispenser. Pivoted at the forward and upper part of the handle portion of the housing on a stud 21 staked to the frame side 13a is a blade lever 22 which has a cross arm at its upper end with a turned-down apertured lug 22a also embracing the stud 21 to provide a stable pivoted mounting and which has a cross arm at its lower end carrying a swing blade 23. Secured by rivets 24 to the very forward end of the frame side Ida is a bracket 25 to which a blade 27 is pivoted at 26. This blade is biased about its pivot axis by a cantilever spring 28 against a locating tongue 29 on the bracket 25. The forward end portion of the rocker 17 carries a cross pin 36 having one end portion which extends through a slot 34a in the frame side 10a and having another end portion which extends through a slot 34b in the cover side 10]) as fractionally indicated in FIGURE 1. The end portion of the cross pin at the frame side engages a hook-shaped finger 31 of the blade lever to swing the blade lever forwardly and engage the blades 23 and 27 in a scissors relationship to cut the tape back of the applicator roller 15 when the trigger 20 is pressed inwardly.

Pivoted on the cross pin 31} is a channel-shaped tape guide lever 32 having a cross member 32a joining the two side legs of the lever. Secured also by the rivets 24 to the frame side 16a is an L-shaped guide bracket 37. Journaled to the lower end of the guide lever, is a guide roller 33 which is however slightly less in diameter than is the diameter of the side legs of the guide lever in which the roller is journaled. The guide lever 32 is biased against the guide lever 32 having a cros member 32a joining the two rocker 17 and having one tail member biased against the cross member 32a as shown in FIGURE 1. Journaled on the central portion of the cross pin between the side members of the channel-shaped rocker 17 is a feed roller 38.

In loading the dispenser, the tape is drawn from the supply roll 14 to unwind in a counterclockwise direction with the tape being led between the studs 12 and 1.8, then across the top of the rocker 17 along the length thereof and partially around the feed roller 38, and then downwardly between the guide lever 32 and the guide bracket 37 and through the space between the guide roller 33 and the applicator roller 15 as shown in FIGURE 1. When the trigger 20 is pressed inwardly the rocker 17 is tilted upwardly to increase the length of the tape from the feed roller 38 to the applicator roller 15 with the guide roller 33 being moved upwardly along the back side of the guide bracket 37. In the end portion of the upward stroke of the rocker 17 the pin 30 engages the finger 31 of the blade lever 22 to rock the blade lever forwardly in a clockwise direction and cut the tape at a point midway between the guide roller 33 and the applicator roller 15. When the trigger 20 is released the rocker 17 is returned by the spring 1d first to separate the cutting blades and then to move the guide lever 32 through the space between the blades with the guide roller carrying the tape by adhesive contact and projecting a starting length T below the ap- 3 plicator roller. The dispenser is then ready again for another tape dispensing operation.

When applying tape in the manner above-described, the tension on the tape arises from the pulling force required to strip the tape from the supply roll, this force being herein referred to as the feed resistance. It is normally desirable to be able to draw the tape from the dispenser with the least possible feed resistance since then it is easier to start adherence of the tape and to apply it to a surface to be taped. However, many times when using strapping tapes, as when the tape is to be drawn around the corner of boxes or cartons and around loose bundles, it is desirable to place a heavy drag on the tape to a point sometimes of even completely braking the tape so that the tape can be drawn tightly around the article as the tape is applied. It is important therefore that the d spenser be provided with a suitable brake which is easily manipulatable to place a control drag or feed resistance on the tape when desired. It is also important that the drag resistance be removed the instant the brake is released because the user will often apply the brake while the tape is being cut at the end of a taping operation and then start another taping operation at the outset of which it is important that the feed resistance be at a minimum so that the starting length will become adhered to the surface to be taped.

By the present invention the user can place a con trolled drag on the tape in a one-hand taping operation, even to the point of completely braking the tape against feed out, by an easy manipulation of one or two fingers of the hand holding the dispenser without losing his grip on the dispenser. This manipulation to operate the brake consists in applying a slight pressure on a button substantially flush with the contour of the housing and located within an area overlaid by the hand but not compressed in the normal gripping of the dispenser. In particular, it is desired that the brake be operable by the fourth and fifth fingers of the hand when these fingers are shifted only slightly from a normal holding position. The brake responds in a sensitive manner to the degree of pressure applied to the button and is well nigh fully released from the tape the instant the pressure is removed.

The brake comprises a rectangular rocker plate 39 disposed loosely within the channel-shaped rocker 17 lengthwise thereof. The rocker plate 39 has a single-point pivotal connection to the forward portion of the rocker 17 via a shoulder stud 40 stake to the rocker. This stud has a reduced diameter end portion which traverses a clearance hole in the rocker plate and which receives a headed screw 41 to hold the rocker plate on the stud. Between the head of the crew 41 and the rocker plate is a cantilever spring 42 with an inwardly bent end portion which under compression from the headed screw biases the rocker plate downwardly against the bottom of the channeled rocker 17. An important advantage of the single-point pivotal connection of the rocker plate 39 with the rocker 17 is that it provides the rocker plate with a universal freedom of movement to pivot both about an axis transverse to the plate 39 and sidewise about a longitudinal axis lengthwise of the rocker plate 39.

The rear end portion of the rocker plate 39 has a lug 39a of reduced width bent downwardly at right angles about to the level of the bottom wall of the handle portion of the housing and then bent forwardly at right angles to provide the rocker plate with a button or finger piece 43 directly behind the trigger 20. This finger piece lies in an opening 43a in the housing which is a rearward extension of the clearance opening for the trigger 20. In its unoperated position the finger piece 43 is substantially flush with the adjacent side portions of the bottom wall of the housing. In holding the dispenser the fourth and fifth fingers overlie the finger piece 43 but since the finger piece is much narrower than the housingbeing about /2 wide whereas the housing is about 1 /2" wide-there is no tendency in the normal gripping of the housing to depress the finger piece. However, by merely moving the tips of the fourth and fifth fingers to a central position on the housing the finger piece can be easily depressed.

Staked by two rivets 44 to a bottom portion of the rocker 17 is a U-shaped bracket 45 which extends upwardly past the back side of the rocker, as it is seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, and then transversely to form an anvil plate 45a which overlies the rocker 17 in parallel relation thereto and at a clearance distance thereabout. Secured by two rivets 46 to the rocker plate 39 at a point below the anvil 45a is an L-shaped bracket 47 having an upwardly extending brake member 47a below the anvil and terminating at a clearance distance therefrom, typically about This bracket is preferably made of strip metal formed by flattening rod stock so that it has a rounded edge confronting the anvil. The use of narrow strip stock is also important as will appear. The tape is led from the supply roll 14 between a rubber sleeve 43 on the stud 12 and a one-way feed bail 49 biased against the rubber sleeve by a tension spring 50 connected between the bail and the cross member portion of the rocker 17. From this point the tape is led forwardly through the space between the anvil 45a and the brake member 47a to the feed roller 38 and thence, as before described, from the feed roller downwardly through the space between the guide roller 33 and the applicator roller 15. Since the brake member 47a is at a spacing from the anvil 45a and contacts the adhesive side of the tape along only a narrow curved edge, it does not normally place any drag on the tape.

When the user presses on the finger piece 43 only lightly, a very substantial drag is placed on the tape because of the brake element 47a engaging the adhesive side of the tape over a narrow rounded edge with a relatively high pressure at the crest of the engaging edge. The extent of the drag is however very sensitive to the pressure applied to the finger piece and can therefore be easily controlled. Thus, upon applying a controlled pressure onto the finger piece 43, the tape can be drawn as tightly as is desired around the article being taped. If the user depresses the trigger 20 to cut the tape while the tape is being thus tensioned, the inward movement of the rocker 17 automatically disengages the finger piece 43 from the hand to remove the clamping pressure between the brake member 47a and anvil 45a. Since the brake element 47a engages the tape along only a narrow line there is no substantial residual adherence of the tape with the brake element after the brake is released. This permits the next tape application to he started without any increased feed resistance arising from the brake and permits the short starting length T to obtain a positive adherence at the outset with the surface being taped.

The embodiment of my invention herein particularly shown and described is intended to be illustrative and not necessarily limitative of my invention since the same is subject to changes and modifications without departure from the scope of my invention, which I endeavor to express according to the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tape dispenser comprising an elongate housing having an intermediate portion adapted to serve as a handle, a rear end portion adapted for carrying a supply roll of tape and a forward head portion provided with an applicator roller for applying tape drawn from the supply roll via the intermediate handle portion; a mechanism in said head portion for cutting the tape at said roller; a projecting trigger below the handle portion adapted to be depressed by closing the grip of the second and third digits of the hand holding the dispenser for operating said cutting mechanism; and a tape brake in said handle portion including an anvil at the non-adhesive side of the tape, a cooperable brake element at the adhesive side of the tape and a finger piece at the bottom of the handle portion directly behind said trigger in position to be depressed by the fourth and fifth digits of the hand holding the dispenser to close said brake element and anvil under a controlled pressure whereby to place a selective drag on the tape as the tape is dispensed while still leaving the second and third digits of the hand free to depress said trigger at will.

2. The tape dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein said finger piece is substantially flush with the bottom wall of said handle portion to allow the handle portion to be gripped without exerting pressure on the finger piece.

3. The tape dispenser set forth in claim 1 including means connecting said finger piece to said brake element to enable said brake to be engaged by pressure exerted on said finger piece without producing any substantial displacement of the finger piece.

4. The tape dispenser set forth in claim 3 wherein said brake element comprises a bar crosswise of the tape and movable into clamping engagement with the adhesive side of the tape backed by said anvil and wherein said .bar engages the tape on a line contact to enable the tape to be readily released from adhesive contact with the bar when the bar is disengaged from said anvil.

5. A tape dispenser comprising an elongate housing having an intermediate portion adapted to serve as a handle, a rear end portion adapted for carrying a supply roll of tape and a forward head portion provided with an applicator roller for applying tape drawn from the supply roll via the intermediate handle portion; and a tape brake in said handle portion including a rigid backing member for supporting the nonadhesive side of the tape, a movable brake element at the adhesive side of the tape backed by said backing member, and a spring-urged member carrying said brake element, said housing having an opening in the bottom wall of said handle portion closed by an intermediate fiat portion of said spring-urged member and serving as a depressible button for moving said brake element into clamping engagement with the tape.

'6. A tape dispenser comprising an elongate housing having an intermediate portion adapted to serve as a handle, a rear end portion adapted for carrying a supply roll of tape, and a forward head portion provided with an applicator roller for applying tape drawn from the supply roll via the intermediate handle portion; a tape cutting mechanism in said head portion; an elongate rocker in said handle portion extending lengthwise thereof and pivoted to said housing at the rear end of said handle portion; spring means urging said rocker in a downward position; a trigger depending from said rocker below said handle portion; means for operating said cut ting member as said trigger is depressed and for feeding out a starting length of tape below said roller as said trigger is released; an anvil on said rocker for backing the non-adhesive side of the tape; a pivoted brake lever movable against the adhesive side of the tape backed by said anvil to exert a drag resistance on the tape; and a button on said brake lever exposed through an opening in the bottom wall of said handle portion adjacent to said trigger for moving said brake lever.

7. The tape dispenser set forth in claim 6 wherein said anvil is secured to a rear portion of said rocker, including a pivot connecting said brake lever to a forward free end portion of said rocker, a transverse bar on the free end portion of said brake lever for engaging the adhesive side of the tape on a line contact when said button is depressed, said pivot including means allowing also lateral pivotal movement of said brake lever whereby when said button is depressed said cross bar is moved flat against said anvil.

8. The tape dispenser set forth in claim 6 wherein said rocker is an inverted channel member, said anvil comprises a bracket secured to said channel member and having a tape backing member extending laterally across said channel member at a spacing therefrom, said brake lever comprises an elongate plate in said channel member having a cross bar thereon for engaging the tape backed by said backing member and having a depressible finger .pice exposed at the bottom of said housing, and including a point type pivotal connection between the forward portion of said rocker and said plate to provide said plate with a pivotal freedom on an axis crosswise of the plate to allow said cross bar to be moved into engagement with said backing member when said button is depressed and to provide said plate with pivotal freedom on an axis lengthwise of the plate whereby to enable said cross bar to engage said backing member evenly along the length of the cross bar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TAPE DISPENSER COMPRISING AN ELONGATE HOUSING HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A HANDLE, A REAR END PORTION ADAPTED FOR CARRYING A SUPPLY ROLL OF TAPE AND A FORWARD HEAD PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN APPLICATOR ROLLER FOR APPLYING TAPE DRAWN FROM THE SUPPLY ROLL VIA THE INTERMEDIATE HANDLE PORTION; A MECHANISM IN SAID HEAD PORTION FOR CUTTING THE TAPE AT SAID ROLLER; A PROJECTING TRIGGER BELOW THE HANDLE PORTION ADAPTED TO BE DEPRESSED BY CLOSING THE GRIP TO THE SECOND AND THIRD DIGITS OF THE HAND HOLDING THE DISPENSER FOR OPERATING SAID CUTTING MECHANISM; AND A TAPE BRAKE IN SAID HANDLE PORTION INCLUDING AN ANVIL AT THE NON-ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE TAPE, A COOPERABLE BRAKE ELEMENT AT THE ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE TAPE AND A FINGER PIECE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HANDLE PORTION DIRECTLY BEHIND SAID TRIGGER IN POSITION TO BE DEPRESSED BY THE FOURTH AND FIFTH DIGITS OF THE HAND HOLDING THE DISPENSER TO CLOSE SAID BRAKE ELEMENT 